Numeral clock



May 12, 1936.

F. G. ALMQUlsT NMERAL CLOCK 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 29

ATTORNEY 4May 12, 1936. F. G. ALMQUlsT NUMERAL CLOCK Filed Jan. 29, 1935 2k Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 12, 1Q36 UNITED STATES PAflEN'r OFFICE Nom-:RAL cLooK Frank G. Almquist, Mount Vernon, N. Y. Application Januaryv 29, 1935, seria! No. 3,932

4\Clain is. (Cl. 58-125) My present invention relates to clocks, and

more particularly to an improved clock ofgthe "numeral" type. In my present invention I have dispensed with he usual and ordinary dial having numerals printed, stamped, embossed, etched, lithographed or otherwise marked on :or attached to its facial periphery, and with which cooperate hour, minute and/or second hands for indicating visually the time, and in place thereof utilize a plurality of rotatable members mounted on a common, and preferably horizontal, axis. These rotatable members are each provided with a plurality of plates, on each of which are formed, or attached, a numeral or numerals designating the hours, tens of minutes, and minutes respectively, and' adapted to be brought into registry to designate and indicate the time as determined by the operating means therefor.

I am aware that numeral clocks,I per se, are old, and therefore make no broad claim to such a construction. Such former numeral clocks however, have had of necessity, numerals of such small size as to render the same practically illegible when viewed from even a comparatively short distance, unless the entire mechanism is of such size as to be cumbersome and unsightly.

In order to obtain the largest size numerals possible, and at the same time keep the mechanism as small as possible,.I preferably use rotatable number plates, each plate being provided with two numbers, one on one face, land one on the other face. For example, where six plates areused to designate the hours, one oi' such plates will have the numeral fl on one face, and the numeral 7 on the `other face. The numeral' 7 is arranged in transposed relation to the numeral l so that each may be in proper position to be read when brought into time indicatingposition. .It will be vreadily seen that such an arrangement results in a numeral twice the size of the numeral heretofore ordinarily employed on the usual types ,of cylindrical or polygonal shaped; numeral carrying drums, and .this without/*increasing the size of the mechanism.

In carrying out my inventiom/I advantageously Place the ,number indicating time, on both faces of the number plates, and morder to bring the numbers ,thereon successively into lregistry to indicate time by'hours, tens of minutes and minutes, fI/preferably arrange the appropriate ones of such number platesy to beK rotated about an axis -which is parallel to but independentv ofthe axis of rotation of the rotatable ing the same.

With a view to keeping all the-units (i. e., minutes, tens of minutes, and' hours) asnear the 4same size as possible, I preferably construct the 5 number plates representing the tens of minutes to.be non-rotatable, the numerals of such tens of minutes-being displayed on one face only of said plates.

As a modification of my invention, while main- 10 taining the rotatable feature of the number plates, I cut the numerals through the material of the number plates. This construction enables me to illuminate the numbers from the rear by any suitable means, as an electric light, and the l5 rotatable character of the number plates, indemember carrypendent of the rotation of the carrying means therefor, permits the easy relamping of same.

' While inthe above referred to modification of my invention, the cutting of the numbers through the material offthe plates results in reducing the size thereof to approximately one half the area of the facial surface of "the number plates, this is more than overbalanced by the fact that light from the source of illumination is projected 25 through the numbers onto a translucent plate, causing obviously the numbers to appear in'enlarged form on said translucent plate. The number visibleon the plate through this method of projection can be made, with ease, double the size of the actual numeral as cut in the plate.

During the period of change, which occurs each minute in the case4 of the minute number, each' ten minutes in the case of the tens of minutes, and each hour in the case of the hour, the

circuit of the lamp for illuminating the numerals may be automatically openedv if desired, to extlnguish the light. and is again-automatically closed when the period of change is over.

An object of my invention is. an improved 40 numeral clock.

Another object is an improved numeral clock in which the numerals indicating the time are of large size as compared with the size of the clock.

`Still another object of my invention is an improved means for illuminating the time indicating numerals in a-numeral clock.

A further object is an proved driving mephanism for numeral clocks and the like.

Otherobjects and novel features of the construction and arrangement of parts comprising my improved clock will appear as the description of the invention progresses'.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. l is a front elevation of a clock embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-#2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the complete mech.

lanism removed from the casing show-n in Figs. 1

and 2;

Fig. 4 is a section substantially on the line 4-4 of F18. 22

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 3-6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 1--1 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section on the line 3-3 of Fis. 3;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the hour indicating rotatable number plates and the mounting therefor.

Fig. 10 is a view, similar to Fig. 2, and showing a modified form of .my invention in which the numbers are cut through the material of the number plates, and Fig. 11-is a plan viewof the type of number gste employed in the modification shown in Referring to the drawings, Ilidesignates a clock case mounted on a base II, and provided with a sight or opening I2 through which nu: merals, indicating the time, may be viewed. The sight or opening may be free and unobstructed, or may be provided with a protecting member I5, as shownin Fig. 2, of clear glass, or other equivalent transparent material, and through which the numerals on the surfaces of the rotatable number plates may be viewed. If de sired, the faces of the number plates may be illuminated by light from an electric lamp I4, as shown in Fig. 2.

Within the case II), and secured to the base Il in any convenient manner, is a base plate I1, on which the operating mechanism, and the `structure comprising my invention, are mounted.

On the top of the base plate I1, and arranged parallel to but spaced apart from each other, are secured the bearing plates I3 and I3. Secured in and extending between the bearing plates I3 and I3 is a bearing shaft 2li. On the shaft 20, adjacent to the bearing plate I3, is rotatably mounted a sleeve 2l. Secured to the 'sleeve 2|, adjacent to the plate I3, is a pinion .22 which periodically meshes with and is driven by a segmental gear 23 secured to and rotating with the drive shaft 24 of a synchronous motor 25.

The synchronous motor 25 is of the usual type and comprises a base plate 23 and supporting .spaced hollow standards 21, through which pass ythe body portion of screws 23, said screws clamping the usual magnet system 29 in position andJ screwingfinto-threaded holes in the plate I3.

Secured to the base 23 and magnet system 23 ls the casing 33 containing the operating lmecha" nism and through which the drive shaft 24 extends. The synchronous motor 25 is so designed as to have the drive shaft 24 -make one complete l revolution every seconds, or each minute.

'Ihe sleeve 2| -is provided with a flange 3l, and on the sleeve 2|, between the flange 3| and the pinion 22, is securely fastened a disc 32and a disc-like member 33, the disc 33 occupying a position between the disc 32 and the pinion 22. AAdjacent to the periphery of the disc 32 and extending laterally outward from the disc toward the pinion 22 is a stud 34 and, referring to Fig. 5, it will be noted that the disc-like member 33 is .cut away at 35 to allow a space between the stud 34 and the cutaway portion 35.

Arranged parallel to the shaft 20 and fastened in a perforation in the plate I3 and in a similar perforation inan auxiliary plate 33 is a shaft 33, on which and adjacent to the plate I3 is rotatably mounted a sleeve 33. '.I'he plate 33 is secured to the base I1 by screws 31.

At the end of the sleeve 33, adjacent to the plate I3, is formed a shoulder 43, and secured to the `shoulder 43 and to the sleeve 33 is a Geneva wheel 4I. Referring to Fig. 5 it will be noted that this Geneva wheel 4I is divided into 'six segments separated by radially extending slots 42, the slots being of a width to slidably engage with the laterally extending stud 34 on the disc 32 above referred to. The outer perimeter of each of the segments of the Geneva wheel 4I is recessed, as indicated by the reference numeral 43, on an arc whose radius is equal to the radius of the disc-like member 33 above referred to. In Fig. 5 the laterally extending stud 34, on the disc 32, is shown as just coming into one of the radially extending slots 442 on the Geneva wheel 4|, and the recessed portion 43 is shown as engaging with the periphery of the disc-like member-33.

The shaft 24 of the synchronous motor 25 rotates in the direction of the arrow on the segmental gear 23,'causing an intermittent rotary movement `of `the disc 32 and disc-like member 33 i'n a clockwise direction, and therefore an intermittent rotary movement of the Geneva wheel 4I in a counterclockwise direction, as noted by the arrow on such Geneva wheel.

Secured to the sleeve 2i and the flange 3I, and lying parallel to the disc 32 and disc-likemember 33 is a disc-45. At spaced points about and adjacent the periphery of the disc 45 are arranged perforations normal lto the disc 45, and in each of which is secured a bearing sleeve 45. For the purposes of the present invention the number of perforations, and therefore the number of bearing sleeves 43, is ve, such bearing sleeves being equally spaced as shown in Fig. 5. Rotatably mounted in each of the sleeves 46 and being prevented from accidental removal therefrom by any desirable means, is a shaft 41. The shafts 41 have secured to the end thereof, remote from the Vend adjacent to the disc 32, a hub 48. Each of such hubs 43 have secured to the outer face `thereof in any convenient manner, as by a slot, a number plate 43, such number plate 43 being symmetrically arranged, as far as regards the ends thereof, and printed or engraved on the number plate 43, or von a card attached thereto is a numberl 44, the numbers running from O to 9.

Diametrically arranged on the hub 4l and on each side of. the number plate 43 are notches 53, adapted to be engaged by a datent 5I formed on the free end of a spring catch 52, which has its other end secured to the disc 45 by a rivet or screw 53. The spring catch 52 is relatively light in weight and while it normally holds the number plate 43 normal to a diameter passing through f the centers of the shafts -41 and 23, will permit rotary movement of the shaft 41 and therefore the number plate 43 without the expenditure of an appreciable amount of energy.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 8 it will ,be noted that the overall length of the number 4plates 43 is so proportioned with regard to the diameter of the disc 45 that when such number plates 43 are ln their normal position, that is, in a position normal to a diameter passing through the shafts 41 and 23, the ends of such number plates 43 extend slightly beyond the periphery of the disc 45'.

Secured tothe base I1 by screws 54 and extending upwardly from the base i1 to a point ad-l -jacent to the periphery of the disc 4l is a obvious that the lowermost extending end of the l number plate 49 shown at the left of the standard 55 will be engaged by the laterally extending pin 56, and as the disc 45 continues its rotation, a rotary movement about the shaft 41 in a clock- ,wise direction will be imparted\to such number plate 49.

In Fig. 8 there is shown in dot and dash lines the intermediate turning position of the lefthand number plate as it will be turned during the rotation of the disc 45. Assuming the disc 45 in Fig. 8 to have rotated from theposition'shown Ain full lines to the position where the lefthand number plate 49 occupies the intermediate position shown in dot and dash lines in such figure, it is obvious that as the rotation of the disc 45 continues the lowerhalf of the number plate 49 will .ride over the pin 56 tocontinue the rotative movement of such plate, and which rotative movement will continue until the detent 5I on the spring catch 52 drops into the appropriate groove 50 in the hub 48, or into the position now occupied by the detent 5I on the right hand hub 46.

Formed on the sleeve 39, and spaced apart from the shoulder 40, is a shoulder 58, and secured to the sleeve 39 and the shoulder 58 is a disc 59, provided at equally spaced points on its face adjacent to its periphery with three laterally extending studs 60. Secured to the sleeve 35 and to the disc 59 is a disc-like member 6I. The disclike member 6I is provided with three laterally extending' portions each occupying a space midway-between adjacent laterally extending pins 60 on the disc 59 as shown in Fig. 6.`

Rotatably mounted on the shaft 20 and spaced from the sleeve 2l by a sleeve 62, is a sleeve 63, this sleeve 63 at the Aend adjacent to the sleeve 62 being provided` with a shoulder 64. Secured to the sleeve 63 and theshoulder 64 is a Geneva wheel 65 provided with a plurality of slots 66, six in number, and of a width to slidably accommodate the laterally extending studs 60 on the disc 59. The periphery of the Geneva wheel 65 between adjacent radial slots 66 is as indicated by the reference numeral 61 in Fig. 6, in the form of concave arcs of a radius equal to the radius of the convex arcs of the outer periphery of the three projections on disc-like member 6I, and referring to Fig. 6 it will be noted that one ofthe studs 60 has just come into one of the radial slots in the Geneva wheel 65.

As the sleeve 39 is intermittently rotated in the manner above described,aid in the direction of the arrows shown in Figi 6, it will be obvious that the Geneva wheel 6 5, and therefore the sleeve 63,

, will be-v intermittently rotated in the direction of the arrows shown on such Geneva wheel 65 in Fig. 6. The sleeve 63j'has secured thereon adjacent to the Geneva wheel 65, but spaced therefrom by the Washer 68, a disc 69 which on the face thereof adjacent to the periphery thereof is provided with a. plurality-six in number-of equally spaced perforations and in each of which is secured a bearing sleeve 46. The 'bearing sleeves 146 in the dis'c 69 are similar to the bearing sleeves ,46 in the disc 45,.and the shafts 41, hubs 48, and associated parts shown in detail in Fig. 8 and described above, find their counter part in the structure shown and carried by the disc 69. It is `suihcient to say therefore, that on the hubs 4,8 that are carried by the disc' 69, there are number plates 1I similar in character to the number plates 49 above referred to, and on each of such number plates 1l is provided a numeral indicating the tens of minutes.

Because of the fact that the number plates 10 carry the tens of minutes numerals, `and because there are six such tens of minutes in an and as `the drive shat 24 of such synchronous motor 25 makes one complete revolution for each minute of elapsed time, itis obvious that an intermittent rotary movement is imparted to the pinion 22 once for each minute. The number of teeth on the segmental gear 23 bearssuch a relation to the number of teeth in the vpinion 22 that the pinion 22 is rotated through one fifth of a revolution for each minute of time, and therefore one of the numbers on each of-the plates 49 is brought into registry with the sight open- 'ing I2 in the casing I0 once each minute. The

disc 45 will therefore make one complete revolution for every ve minutes of time.

'Ihe sleeve 39 having secured thereto the Ge.

neva wheel 4|, and the Geneva wheel 4I having six radial slots 42, and-such radial slots4 being engaged in succession once pereach five minutes of time by the laterally Vprojecting. pin 3.4 on the disc 32, the sleeve 39, and therefore the disc 59 will be rotated through one-sixth of a revolution for each five minutes of time. As, however, there are but three laterally extending pins 60 onthe disc 59, there will beA imparted tothe Geneva wheel 61 a rotary movement through one-sixth of a revolution for every one-third revolution of the disc 59. In other words, the Geneva wheel 61, and therefore the disc Y69, will make one-sixth of a revolution for each ten minutes of time, 'and therefore the numerals on the plate 1l carried by the disc 69 will be brought successively into'registry with the sight opening I2 in the casing I0 at intervals of ten minutes apart.

On the sleeve 63, which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 20, and adjacent to the end thereof remote from the shoulder 64, is a shoulder 1I'.

Y Secured to the sleeve 63 and shoulder 1I is a disc to' the base i1 by screws 18 is a spring catch 51,

the outer free end of which is adapted to engage with the radial slots 11 in succession to maintain the disc-like member 16 in adjusted position against accidental movement. sleeve 14, adjacent to but spaced slightly apart from the disc-like member`16, is a disc 19 provided on the face remote from the disc-like member 16, and adjacent the periphery, with a plurality of laterally extending studs Bil, six in number.

Rotatably mounted on the shaft 2U, adiacent to the sleeve 63, is a sleeve 8| to which is fastened a disc-like member B2 provided with a plurality oi' radially extending slots 83 adapted to slidably engage or be engaged by the laterally extending studs Illl on the disc 19. The-number of slots B3 is six, being equal in number to the number of laterally extending studs il) in the disc 1B.

.Also secured to the sleeve 8l 4is a disc 83a pro vided with a plurality of laterally extending bearing sleeves IE, these sleeves being identical with the corresponding sleeves above described as being carried by the discs I5 and 69 respectively. Associated with such sleeves 4E are the hubs 4B provided, as in the construction referred to and illustrated in Fig. 8 with the diametrically opposed grooves 50 and with the spring members 52 carried by the disc 83a. and associated therewith. Each of the hubs 4B carries a number plate 84.

Secured to the base I1 by screws 85 is a standard 86 carrying at its top end a. laterally extending pin 81 which lies in the path of movement of the ends of the plates Bl, it being understood, as was the case with respect to the plates 49 carried by the disc 45, that the length of the plates 84 bears such a relation to the circumierence of the disc 83a that the ends of the plates Bl extend outwardly beyond the circumference of the disc 83a,

Referring to Fig. 11 there is shown a plate 88 in which numerals are cut through the body oi? the plates, each plate BB carrying two numbers as shown, one readable from one side of the plate and the other number from the other side. Referring to Fig. 10 there is shown a plurality of plates 88 carried on a disc 85, andilluminated by a lamp 9U.

It has been pointed out above that the disc B9 rotates through one-sixth of a revolution for each III minute interval oi time, therefore bring-I ing the numerals of the plates "ID into registryr with the sight opening I2 in the casing Ill. As the disc l2 rotates with the disc 6H, and as the disc 12 carries but a single laterally projecting stud T3 it is obvious that the disc l5 containing the radial slots Tl with which the laterally projecting stud I3 engages will be rotated through onesixth of a revolution for each complete revolution of the disc 69. As however, the disc 19, rotating with the disc 'I6 and at the same rate of speed, has six equally spaced laterally' projected studs Bl) and as there are six radially extending slots 'I1 in the disc-like member "I6, it is obvious that the disc 83a will rotate `through one-sixth of a revolution for each one-sixth of a revolution of the disc-like member 1S. The disc 83a therefore rotates through one-sixthof a revolution for each hour interval of time.

In the case where the numerals in the various number plates I9, Ill and 84 are cut out of the material of such plates, I find it preferable to place a source of illumination in the rear of each plate as the same is brought into registry with the sight opening I2 in the casing ID and such form of illumination preferably takes the form of an electric light bulb Sl carried by a standard 9| and to which power is transmitted from any suitable source. Such a source of illuminationis employed as shown in Fig. 10, together with the translucent sight covering member I 3 and on which the numerals are projected and made visible. Where however, the numerals in the various number plates are impressed or engraved on the surface of the various plates the translucent member I3 has substituted therefore preferably a clear glass cover member I5 for the sight opening I2 and a source of illumination il in the form of an electric bulb is placed in the corner of the casing ID as shown in Fig. 2 to illuminate the visible face of the number plates, and thereby render numbers engraved or impressed thereon visible to the observer through the clear glass closure inember I5.

The driving mechanism for the various minutes, tens of minutes, and hour discs has been described in detail and such construction .has been found exceedingly efficient, requiring a minimum of power and one that does not place an immoderately heavy load on the driving motor. The details of construction however, of such driving mechanism may be varied at will and I :am not to be limited to the exact details of construction as above illustrated and described except as hereinafter pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention has been describeclas applied to a time keeping mechanism, Where the time is indicated by a plurality of interconnected members each carrying numerals and which numerals are periodically brought into registry to indicate `the time by hours, tens of minutes, :and minutes. The numerals are relatively large as compared to the size of the mechanism, and are actually twice large as in prior numeral clocks.

My invention however, is applicable to other devices than direct reading time keeping clocks, and may be utilized in calendar devices and in similar situations where deiinite results are to bc produced in predetermined sequence.

I am not therefore, to be limited to time keeping devices other than as pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim:

lyIn a numeral clock., the combinatioi'i with a driving mechanism, a plurality oi members ar ranged side-by-side associated with 'the driving mechanism, and interconnected 'to be intermit-y tently and rotatably driven predetermined times 'to measure time in minutes, tens oi minutes and hours, a plurality ol? bearings arranged on each of said plurality of members adjacent to the circumferential edge tliercoi, shafts rotatably mounted in each of said bearings, number oi ISU each other, a plurality of number plates associated y with each of said rotatably mounted members,

said number plates being less in number than the numbers to be indicated thereby, a mounting for each of said number plates comprising a bearing mounted on the rotatably mounted members, a shaft rotatably mounted .in the bearing, means for securing the number platcto the shaf t, numbers on both faces oi said number plates, said numbers each of a size substantially equal to the larger portion of the superiicial area of the faces of said number plates, and being large as compared to the size of the complete clock, and means for successively'engaging the number plates during the intermittent rotation of the rotatably mounted members for rotating said number plates and to successively bring the numbers on the opposite faces thereof into viewing position.

3. In a-numeral clock, the combination with a driving mechanism, a plurality of rotatably mounted members interconnected together, ar-

ranged side by side and intermittently rotated by said driving mechanism in timed relationship to each other, a plurality of number plates, less in number than the numbers to be indicated thereby, numbers on both faces of said number plates, said numbers each of a size substantially equal to the larger portion of the supercial area of the faces of said number plates, and being large as compared with the size of the complete clock, a

carrying the same for successively rotating said plates through an angle of 180.

4. In a, numeral clock, the combination with a driving mechanism, a plurality of rotatably mounted members interconnected together, arranged side by side, and intermittently rotated by said driving mechanism in timed relationship to each other, a plurality of number plates, less in number than the numbers to be indicated thereby, said number plates each rotatably and independently mounted on the rotatably mounted members on an axis symmetrical with the area of the number plates, means for successively engaging said number plates during a step in the intermittent rotation of the rotatably mounted members for rotating said plates through an angle of 180, a translucent Window arranged parallel to the number plates when the same are in viewing position, said translucent Window being spaced apart from the number plates, and means for projecting light through the numbers on the number plates and projecting the image of said numbers onto the translucent Window.

FRANK G. ALMQUIST. 

